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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/$5 bill with defective hologram

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Expert: - 2/25/2010


Question

back of bill
Yes I do have other bills from same set I have the serial numbers before and after the bill in question. It has never had any glue or finger nail polish put on it. How I got the bill is I was getting change for registers at a large retailer and while counting through a new bundel of $5 bills that were still strapped from the bank and just came with that days money. The other bills that I have show no signs of this. I took it to a local collector and he said that hes never seen anything like it and could not put a value on it. He did say that it look like it happened either in the process of printing the money or makeing the paper but wasnt sure

Answer
Hi Keith:

Thanks for the opportunity to answer your question.

Thanks for the photo of the other side of your bill. I've saved them and looked at both sides. Honestly, I'm stumped, but share the collector's comment about the bill. I do believe it to be genuine. It appears to be some type of paper error or application of the counterfeit deterrent features. I'm not aware of how they are applied, but searched the web and found an article that might help to isolate how this may have happened your bills.
See: http://research.stlouisfed.org/publications/review/07/09/Williams.pdf

Here's a link with information on FRN's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_Note
Here's a link for $5 bills: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_five-dollar_bill

I'm not able to give you and exact estimate as to the value of your note, because I've not come across this type of oddity before. It could be worth double face value to say $100 to an interested collector, but suggest you get a paper money dealer to look at it. Here's link for you to view different types of error currency and their values.
Link: http://www.coinsite.com/html/uscurrencyerrors.asp

You may want to check US currency listings under errors on eBay from time to time to see if this type of error is listed, and what it brings.

If you live near a coin shop, I'd suggest you let them look at the note. Most dealers will offer an opinion as to the authenticity and value at no charge.

You might consider getting the notes authenticated. If you should decide to sell your bill to a dealer, remember they will offer about 50% to 60% of the retail value. You should always get two or more estimates, and try and deal with PNG (Professional Numismatists Guild) dealers when possible. I'll list the link for you to check dealers near you.

To find a PNG dealer, see Link: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

Sorry I can't give you more information. Please remember to go to the experts site to rate this answer. And check the nomination box on the rating page below any comments you may have.

Thank You and Good Luck in your collecting.

Ronald Fern

Expertise

I can answer most all questions relating to US coins, tokens, and currency. I'm not strong on world coins or ancients. Primary field of expertise is errors and varieties. Over 55 years experience in coin collecting. Part time dealer since 1976. Employed by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for over 34 years as an Industrial Engineer/Technical Specialist before retiring in 2002.

Experience

Worked weekends for "Lonesome" John in the late 1960's to mid 1970's processing error coins, packaging, and preparing orders. Worked with John Devine and Fred Weinberg on several California Error A Rama's in the early 1970's. Served as display judge at annual Error-A-Rama coin shows. Opened and operated mail order coin business DBA "CAL ERRORS" in 1976. Contributer to Alan Herbert's "Official Price Guide To Mint Errors" and Fivaz/Stanton "Cherrypickers' Guide". Worked Saturdays at Huntington Beach Coin Exchange 1980-1999. Had table and sold coins at a number of coin and gun shows in So CA, AZ and NV. Sell coins, tokens and currency currently at my space in the Pomona Antique Center. Past "Errorscope" Editor. Presently CONECA Examiner.

Organizations
ANA, CONECA, CWTS, NLG

Publications
Errorscope, Numismatic News, Civil War Token Journal, Error and Variety News

Education/Credentials
AA Degree LBCC pre Engineering, 1964 BS Degree CSULB Ind Technology, 1968

Awards and Honors
1st Place EAR Trophy for Civil War Token Errors, NLG Author of Year Award for best monthly coin column "Error News and Views" in small Numismatic paper, owned and published by Ray Anthony.

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